Where to stay

The most atmospheric places to stay are in Turin's Historic Centre, where visitors can spend days strolling grand shopping streets and wandering through shady piazzi. The baroque Piazza San Carlo and the Piazza Castello are among the finest. Book a hotel in Lingotto to explore a different period in Turin's history. The Fiat Lingotto Factory here has been converted by Renzo Piano into a landmark entertainment complex. Several design-conscious boutique hotels join international chains in the surrounding streets. Find glimpses even farther back in Turin's history with a stay along the narrow streets of the Quadrilatero Romano, or Roman Quarter.

The Historic Centre is the best choice for accommodations with museum hopping in mind. Start by exploring the lavish interiors of the Palazzo Reale. Veer away from well-trodden routes in search of smaller museums such as the little-known Museo Casa Mollino south by the river Po. Touring the Museo Egizio, housing the most significant collection of Egyptian treasures outside Cairo, can easily fill an afternoon. Classic car lovers shouldn't miss the Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile near Lingotto, dedicated to all things automotive. To the north, hotels around the one-time factory district of Parco Dora, between San Donato and Borgo Vittoria, are also worth considering, particularly for those traveling with kids who will enjoy the skate park.

The best way to start the day in Turin is to leave hotel breakfasts behind and stop instead for a cappuccino and pastry in one of the Historic Centre's art nouveau cafés. Reserving a room here gives the most options in terms of dining and places to sample the local chocolate. Turin is considered the unofficial chocolate capital of Europe. Next head on to the Porta Palazzo produce market in the Aurora district. At sundown, the Roman Quarter comes alive for candle-lit dinners and elegant spots for aperitivo. Once the site of a Roman fort, it's now one of the best spots to stay and dine. Look for innovative tasting menus and Piemonte specialties such as vitello con tonnato, as well as the garlic, oil and anchovy dip, bagna cauda.